Information
for Colleges and Universities

United States Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with state
environmental agencies, is alerting colleges and universities throughout
the mid-Atlantic states about their responsibility to comply with environmental
laws and regulations. January 21, 2005, EPA, Pennsylvania, and the Association of Colleges and Universities Signed a Self-Audit Agreement. The agreement will increase environmental compliance at Pa. Colleges and Universities For the complete copy of this Press
Releaseand additional Press Releases regarding Colleges and Universities

Samantha Phillips Beers, Esq., Director of EPA Mid-Atlantic
Region, Office of Enforcement, Compliance and Environmental Justice (ECEJ),
provided remarks to the Federal Relations Committee of the American Association
of Universities, meeting on July 14, 1999, in Washington, DC To
view the Talking Points. EPA has conducted three compliance
workshops  two hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and
one hosted by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia

At the request of a number of leaders in the higher education
field, EPA, Mid-Atlantic Region, has developed a List
of Questions to help College and University Presidents determine if
they are meeting their legal and leadership obligations in the environmental
realm. Mid-Atlantic Region has also developed a List
of Questions to help Athletic Directors identify possible environmental
issues associated with the management operations of the athletic facilities
on campus. Environmental problems at some colleges and universities
include improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste materials; boilers
and furnaces that are not in compliance with clean air regulations; inadequate
monitoring of underground storage tanks; sewage treatment facilities that
are not operating properly; and improper abatement of lead-based paint
and asbestos.

The EPA offers a wide variety of compliance assistance resources
and tools designed to assist facilities in complying with federal and
state environmental laws. These resources can help facilities understand
their obligations, improve compliance and find cost-effective ways to
comply through the use of pollution prevention and other innovative technologies.
Most of the information applies to all types of facilities, but a few
are geared toward colleges and universities. You may want to bookmark
or have some of the following links and phone numbers added to your website
for future reference.

Recently, the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region conducted a survey
to determine the effectiveness of outreach in regards to the Region's
College and University Initiative. The goal of this survey was to determine
if any changes have occurred in the awareness of regulations and routine
practices among college and university campuses, and to determine the
effectiveness of EPA outreach efforts have been successful. College and
university facility managers will be randomly and anonymously surveyed
this summer to determine what actions were taken at their campus as a
result of EPAs compliance outreach efforts.

Web-based Environmental Compliance Tool for Colleges
This new Web-based compliance assistance center that provides comprehensive environmental compliance assistance and pollution prevention information for colleges and universities. The center was developed by the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officials with support and funding from EPA.

The Web site makes it easier for school officials to learn more about applicable environmental regulations and ensure a safe and sustainable environment for their students, faculty, and staff. The on-line center provides information on topics including waste management, air and water resources, drinking water, and public safety. Viewers can find out what types of campus activities are regulated by EPA, see how best to comply with environmental regulations, query federal enforcement and compliance data, learn how to apply for federal grants, and e-mail comments to EPA on regulations under development.

The Energy Star Program's fact sheet for Higher Education
is on the Energy Star Buildings website. Colleges and universities can "Join the Partnership".
College case studies are available by clicking on Success Stories under
Participants.

Other Websites

Hotlines

EPA sponsors approximately 89 hotlines and clearinghouses
that provide free and convenient avenues to obtain assistance with environmental
requirements. Key hotlines that may be of interest to you include:

RCRA/UST/CERCLA Hotline

(800) 424-9346

Toxics Substances and Asbestos Information

(202) 554-1404

Safe Drinking Water

(800) 426-4791

Stratospheric Ozone/CFC Information

(800) 296-1996

Clean Air Technical Center

(919) 541-0800

Wetlands Hotline

(800) 832-7828

Compliance Assistance Centers

EPA has established national compliance assistance centers,
in partnership with industry, academic institutions, and other federal
and state agencies, that provide on-line and fax back assistance services
in the following sectors which also may apply to multifaceted facilities.

State Agencies

Many state agencies have established compliance assistance
programs that provide on- site as well as other types of assistance. Please
contact your local state environmental agency for more information. EPA's
Small Business Ombudsman can provide you with State Agency contacts
by calling 800-368-5888 nationally or 800-228-8711 in the Mid-Atlantic
area.

Compliance Policies

EPAs Compliance
Incentives for Small Business Policy and Small
Communities Policy are intended to promote environmental compliance
among small businesses by providing incentives such as penalty waivers
and reductions for participation in compliance assistance programs, and
encouraging voluntary disclosure and prompt correction of violations.
These policies can not be applied to an enforcement action that has already
been initiated. Contact Ginger Gotliffe (202-564-2310) for information
on the Small Business Policy and Ken Harmon (202-564-2310) for information
on the Small Communities Policy.